DRY SPELL BROKEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18206, 27 September 1922, Page 8

DRY SPELL BROKEN.

WELCOME FALL* OF RAM. BENEFICIAL TO FARMERS. EFFECT ON STRAWBERRIES. The spell of dry weather, which has been experienced at Auckland recently, was broken yesterday, when warm, refreshing showers fell. In the morning the showers were very light and intermittent, but after mid-day rain fell steadily for some time. Toward evening the rain ceased, but the sky had a dull and threatening appearance at a late hour. The rain that fell yesterday, although not sufficient to penetrate the soil to any extent, was very acceptable, as the pastures and gardens, particularly those in the volcanic and pumice areas, were beginning to feel the effect of the dry weather. The rain was welcomed by the strawberry plots, .which' beneSted greatly from the warm downfall. The plants are now showing good growth, though generally they are not as forward as usual at this period of the year. The rainfall for the 24 hours ended midnight, as registered by the Herald gauge, was .38in. . The barometer continues very unsteady at Auckland. It had risen to 30.15 m. on Sunday night, but fell again, and last night it registered 29.85 in. Very heavy rain feU at New Plymouth yesterday, where the steamer Rimu was unable to work cargo. In consequence* her departure from that port for Onehunga has been postponed until to-day. Heavy rain fell in Hamilton yesterday. With the exception of a little rain last Friday, there had been no fall for about 10 days, and the country was getting very dry. It was much warmer yesterday, and the rise in temperature, coupled with the deluge of rain, should have a most beneficial effect on the pastures in the Waakato. " NORTH CANTERBURY BENEFITS. BREAK IN THE DRY SPELL. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.) CHBISTCHURCH. Tuesaay. The pasture and crop prospects Trill b« greatly improved by the steady rain that fell throughout the greater part of North Canterbury to-day. Ihe ram was very much needed.